Start Colston Loveland over Tucker Kraft — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Loveland’s clean runway beats Kraft’s heavier but less certain workload

Start Colston Loveland: his trusted-pass-catcher role and clean availability make the small projection gap meaningful at tight end (chicagobears.com 2026-08-04). Tucker Kraft has the stronger usage profile and a favorable matchup, but his questionable tag creates the call’s real risk. Neither defense-vs-TE matchup meaningfully separates them, so Kraft’s availability is the main threat to Loveland’s edge.

What flips it: A pregame clearance for Kraft with no workload cap.

Sources: chicagobears.com · Aug 4, 2026

AI editor

Colston Loveland

TE3CHIvs CAR

7.39.712.0 Projected Points

Start

Tucker Kraft

TE13GBvs MIN

5.47.29.0 Projected Points

Start· medium

Why Colston Loveland

Start

TE1 and pass-catching mismatch. Seam-stretching move tight end with flex alignment and rising target volume.

Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE3: 16% target share in 2025, 12.0 PPR projected vs CAR.

Chicago’s trusted-pass-catcher role supports a stable route path despite his lighter snap share.
His clean availability matters more at tight end, where a modest edge can decide the matchup.

Latest on Loveland

Role

Colston Loveland remains one of quarterback Caleb Williams' most trusted pass catchers.

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Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Tucker Kraft

Start· medium

TE1 and primary seam threat. Physical yards-after-catch producer and capable in-line blocker; returning from injury.

86% snaps and a 20% target share make Kraft a locked-in TE1 usage bet; TE13 at 9.1 clears the streamer bar if he's active Sunday.

Kraft’s every-down profile gives him the stronger volume path if Green Bay keeps him active.
His yards-after-catch ability can turn modest opportunities into a usable PPR day.

The call

A 20% target share over eight games is elite for the position — Kraft is a genuine focal point in this passing game, not a matchup-dependent streamer, and 86% snaps confirm the every-down role.
The DvP composite lists Minnesota 7 of 32 against tight ends, but it's a 0-game sample with 0.00 confidence — that number shouldn't override established volume.
Game script cooperates: a 1.5-point spread with a 23.0 implied total means a competitive, two-way script that keeps Green Bay throwing rather than salting a lead away.
The only real risk is the questionable tag. If he's downgraded or ruled out pregame, pivot; short of that, TE13 with this usage beats the replacement-level tight end on your bench.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Colston Loveland	Tucker Kraft
Projected points	7.39.712.0	5.47.29.0
Consensus rank	TE3	TE13
Opponent vs position	CAR · 12 of 320-game sample	MIN · 7 of 320-game sample
Receptions	11 of 32	6 of 32
Receiving Yards	24 of 32	5 of 32
Receiving TDs	9 of 32	9 of 32
Targets	9 of 32	7 of 32
Anytime TD	9 of 32	9 of 32
Target share	16%(2025)	20%(2025)
Reception share	19%(2025)	21%(2025)
Implied total · spread	23.5-2.5	23.0-1.5
Depth chart	TE1	TE1
Snap share	65%(2025)	86%(2025)
Injury designation	—	Questionable